Filter element locking mechanism

Abstract

A method of assembling a canister filter system includes inserting a first filter component into a second filter component, and continuing the insertion until a first tab of either the first filter component or the second filter component contacts the other of the first filter component and the second filter component.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A filter element for a canister filter system comprising:
 an annular filter media defining a longitudinal axis; 
 a tube arranged coaxially with the annular filter media; 
 a first open end joined to the tube and having formed therein a locking slot; and 
 a second open end joined to the tube opposite the first open end; 
 the locking slot having including an entrance portion extending in an axial direction, a ramp portion extending diagonally from the entrance portion in the axial direction and in a circumferential direction, a circumferential portion extending in the circumferential direction, and a detent notch extending in the axial direction from the circumferential portion and forming an axial extremity of the locking slot; 
 wherein the locking slot forms a necked throat between the circumferential portion and the detent notch; and 
 wherein the locking slot includes an axial throat surface and a slanted throat surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The filter element of  claim 1  wherein the slanted throat surface extends from the circumferential portion to the detent notch. 
     
     
       3. The filter element of  claim 2  wherein a right angle corner is defined by the axial throat surface and an adjacent surface of the circumferential portion and is positioned opposite to the slanted throat surface. 
     
     
       4. The filter element of  claim 2  wherein the axial extremity is defined by an axial extremity surface of the locking slot that extends in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
       5. The filter element of  claim 1  wherein the second open end includes a second locking slot including an entrance portion extending in an opposite axial direction, a ramp portion extending diagonally from the respective entrance portion in the opposite axial direction and in an opposite circumferential direction, a circumferential portion extending in the opposite circumferential direction, and a detent notch extending in the opposite axial direction from the circumferential portion and forming an axial extremity of the second locking slot. 
     
     
       6. The filter element of  claim 1  wherein the filter media forms a central passage and the tube includes a center tube arranged within the central passage. 
     
     
       7. A filter element for a canister filter system comprising:
 an annular filter media defining a longitudinal axis; 
 a tube arranged coaxially with the annular filter media; 
 a first end joined to the tube and having formed therein a locking slot; and 
 a second end joined to the tube opposite the first end; 
 the locking slot having an entrance portion extending in an axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end, a ramp portion extending diagonally from the entrance portion in the axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end and in a circumferential direction, a circumferential portion extending in the circumferential direction, and a detent notch, the detent notch extending from the circumferential portion in the axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end, and forming an axial extremity of the locking slot spaced from the circumferential portion in the axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end; 
 the detent notch including an end edge forming the axial extremity and extending in the circumferential direction between a first axial edge and a second axial edge, and the first axial edge and the second axial edge each being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       8. The filter element of  claim 7  wherein the second end includes a second locking slot including an entrance portion extending in an opposite axial direction away from the second end, a ramp portion extending diagonally from the respective entrance portion in the opposite axial direction and in an opposite circumferential direction, a circumferential portion extending in the opposite circumferential direction, and a detent notch extending in the opposite axial direction from the circumferential portion and forming an axial extremity of the second locking slot. 
     
     
       9. The filter element of  claim 8  wherein the axial extremity of the first locking slot and the axial extremity of the second locking slot are defined, respectively, by a first axial extremity surface that extends in the circumferential direction and a second axial extremity surface that extends in the opposite circumferential direction. 
     
     
       10. The filter element of  claim 7  wherein the locking slot forms a necked throat between the circumferential portion and the detent notch, and includes an axial throat surface and a slanted throat surface. 
     
     
       11. The filter element of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the first end or the second end includes an open end. 
     
     
       12. A filter element for a canister filter system comprising:
 an annular filter media defining a longitudinal axis; 
 a tube arranged coaxially with the annular filter media; 
 a first end joined to the tube and having formed therein a locking slot; and 
 a second end joined to the tube opposite the first end; 
 the locking slot having an entrance portion extending in an axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end, a ramp portion extending diagonally from the entrance portion in the axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end and in a circumferential direction, a circumferential portion extending in the circumferential direction, and a detent notch, the detent notch extending from the circumferential portion in the axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end, and forming an axial extremity of the locking slot spaced from the circumferential portion in the axial direction away from the first end and toward the second end; 
 wherein the locking slot forms a necked throat between the circumferential portion and the detent notch, and includes an axial throat surface and a slanted throat surface.